Pangaea Guides

Professional Sea Kayak and Glacier Guides

Pangaea Adventures hires to the highest standards and focuses on guides with a great balance of experience, safety, friendly personality, and education. Our guides care about the overall experience of every guest and strive to balance recreation and education. Each guide practices “leave no trace” ethics and creates a comfortable atmosphere for all levels of kayakers. Each head guide is trained in advanced wilderness medicine and rescue. Their backgrounds are all in guiding and teaching. We hire adults who are personable, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, responsible, and safe.

Tim Duffy aka “Duff”

Duff has several years of experience guiding paddling, backpacking and ski-mountaineering trips throughout Alaska. Originally a Maine-ah, Duff ski guides winters in Nevada, explores the world on vacation, and is also one of our boat captains. You can sit back and enjoy the cruise with Duff while he throws fun facts at you and sometimes even raps them. He acquired the company in 2008 and says the Valdez vistas still have him in awe.

Kristina Duffy

A native to the Chicago area, Kristina joins us for her sixth season as the office manager for Pangaea. She graduated with a double BA in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Lake Forest College outside of the great city, and has since spent her time roaming the U.S. and Latin America. Ask her about exploring Machu Picchu, starting an organic farm at LFC, or learning first hand about immigration issues at the U.S./Mexico border. She’s done all these things! You can also ask her all about Pangaea Adventures, or about how she’s enjoyed her transition to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Ben Richard

Ben has been a raft guide in Yellowstone for the past 2 summers and finally fulfilled a dream to venture north to the wild Alaskan rivers. Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, the mosquitos and cold of Alaska is nothing new to this guy. Ben is an amazing paddler and an even better photographer. He loves taking photos of all the wildlife up here and is an expert in the birds and marine life of Prince William Sound. A fun fact is that he is SCUBA certified! Ben is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. He’ll make sure you’re having a good time and teach you a thing or two about this unique area.

Alex Hubbard

Originally from Texas, she’s traveled around the world and deemed Alaska the go-to place. Alex has 5 years of guiding under her belt as well as a degree in Geography from Oklahoma State University. She loves being on the water but hates swimming, so you can be sure she’ll keep you inside the boat while rafting down the river or kayaking around ice. Ask her about how she married the same guy twice, or about her days as a mascot. She’s sweet and she’s funny and she’ll be sure to show you a good time.

Brian Herbig

This classic New Yorker hails from the Adirondacks. He arrived an intern, and quickly showed unmistakable interest and prowess in all aspects of what we do. More than anything, Big Boy is just a genuine pleasure to be around. He keeps an upbeat attitude and evinces an honest interest in teaching people about our area. When he’s not juggling calls in the office or leading guests on trips, Brian can be found fishing, slack lining, rock climbing, gardening, taking awesome photos, playing guitar, flexing his carpentry skills, or reading a good book. Ladies, did I mention his cooking skills? Let Big Boy take you by surpise as he guides you for the ultimate Alaskan experience.

Will Shepard

Count yourself fortunate if you score Sick Willy as your guide, as he is one of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet. Radiating fun and positivity, Will is filled to the brim with a plethora of knowledge and is eager to share his love for the area with everyone around him. Feel free to ask him how he broke his knee last summer, what his favorite scooter tricks are, or how to warm up with the Penguin Dance. Sharp guy and stout cog in the machine of Pangaea Adventures!

Meredith Roberts

Meredith is one of our interns this year, coming to us from Pennsylvania. She is currently finishing up her degree in Outdoor Recreation Management with a minor in Environmental Studies. She spent last summer as a zip line guide in California, but has always dreamed of returning to Alaska after going on a cruise here when she was younger. Meredith enjoys all things music and can really sing! She’s also got talent in the kitchen and can cook anything from homemade pizza to amazing desserts. If you’re lucky enough to meet her, be it in the office or on the water, do keep an eye out for that sweet smile of hers.

Emma Houston

Easy E is one of those gals that you always want on your team. She’s got more experience under her (tow)belt than most folks twice her age. An Environmental Studies and Ecology major from the University of Maine, Emma joins Pangaea for yet another summer as our lead guide, and has also evolved into our beloved manager. Growing up in a family of raft guides, Emma learned water safety and paddle techniques at a young age. When she’s not practicing her rolls, leading multi sport adventures, or helping others learn the ropes, Emma enjoys running, skiing, berry picking, a good book, and exploring the world. She’s fun, sweet, wicked sharp, and she’ll blow your mind with her knowledge of Alaska!

Nick DelPrete

If you happen to get a trip with Nick, you will be in luck. He owned a kayaking company at the age of sixteen! He is now a pro kayak guide, river rafting guide, and even a badass skier. What an expert! Nick moved from Massachusetts to Montana and then up to Alaska in the hopes of finding his favorite animal, the horned puffin. As you paddle together, he can tell you about Dungeons and Dragons, whiskey old fashioneds, and even how he broke his nose four different times. Nick has accomplished a lot, but his proudest moment was winning the award for most alluring drivers license. Ask to take a peek!

Zack Maffeo

Meet Zack; his stoke level is always high and he’s always itching to get outside, whether that be on rock or on the water. He loves climbing in the Adirondacks and even leads trips out there when he’s not in Alaska. Coming to Valdez from Boston, he’s currently working toward a degree in Bioprocess Engineering, with the goal to work with different kinds of lichen. Feel free to ask him about some of the lichen and fungi that lives on the trees and rocks around Prince William Sound. He aims to give people a good time and will wow you with his knowledge of the area.

Parker Gondella

This Bad Larry is from Northern Virginia, but is currently getting his degree in Outdoor Leadership and Psychology at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. He hopes to one day work in Wilderness Therapy, but right now sea kayaking in Alaska is his calling. He’s a talented musician, having played as a lead guitar in bluegrass bands for many years. When he’s not playing music, he’s throwing flies trying to get some fish and is stoked to catch some of the unique fish Alaska has to offer. Parker is passionate about teaching people and sharing the outdoors with them. He is eager to share his passion and love of the outdoors with you!

Chris Hailey

After getting a degree in Finance at Louisiana State University and then working as an accountant, Chris decided he was in need of new energy and sought out Alaska as his next adventure. A Tennessee native, this is his first summer in Alaska. He is best described as a ray of sunshine and is never lacking in optimism, humor, or fresh energy. In his off time, he enjoys firing up the sauna at home, getting beat in chess and playing unique music. Chris has the ability to make everyone feel like you’re old friends. He’s sure to bring in the sunshine even on rainy days in Valdez.

Laura Romine

Laura AKA Lizard gained her nickname because of her rock climbing skillz. This intern from Anchorage can be found ascending every climbable, and non-climbable rock face in Alaska. Not only does Laura have dope climbing abilities, she also makes some bomb Spotify playlists. This free spirit first fell in love with Valdez when she visited for the first time this past winter for an ice climbing festival, and she has since dubbed our area as “the most beautiful place I have ever seen”.

Carson Kurtz-Rossi

Originally from Massachusetts, Carson is currently studying electrical engineering at the University of Vermont. This is Carson’s first summer guiding in Alaska, and also his first summer cooking for himself. When he’s not on the water guiding trips or practicing rolling a kayak, he can be found rock climbing, eating cheese, boogying, or dazzling people with his butterfly knife skills. Come find out why we call him the Ice Worm.

Chase Belcher

Chase is originally from East Tennessee, but he’s been traveling and working around the world having recently visited places such as Nepal, New Zealand and India. This guide has a plethora of experience having spent the past 7 summers as a raft guide in places such as Glacier National Park. Before his guiding career, he was a medical transporter and has tons of interesting stories to tell. He enjoys skiing, mountain biking and pack rafting in his free time. Chase is a friendly team player and any trip with him at the helm is sure to be a good time.

Sharon Audibert

Sharone, or, Sharon is Caring, is one of the brightest, friendliest guides around. Back for her second summer with us, she has a distinct passion for traveling the world, and flexing her French tongue along the way. Be sure to ask her about her recent stint in the Pyrenees. Anothah Mainahh, Sharon scoops a mean cream cone, and takes good pride in showing her guests a good, safe and info-rich time.

Hannah McGowan

Hailing from Memphis, TN, Hannah came to Valdez for the first time as an intern with Pangaea in the summer of 2007. Mystified by the grandeur of Prince William Sound and fascinated by its rich biodiversity, she has returned to Pangaea for many summers to share this unique place with others as a lead guide and trainer. She has pursued studies in marine ecology and wilderness leadership at Prescott College, so she is psyched and well equipped to nerd out about sea life, especially whales and intertidal invertebrates. Since graduating, she has fallen in love with rock and mountain climbing, turning her attention to desert splitters, granite masses, and icy massifs between ski seasons, which she usually spends skiing up and down the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Feeling the pull of the great north and it’s rugged coastline, she often emerges from the landlocked mountains and deserts to return to us in Prince William Sound.

Sam Benoit

Hailing from land of the second best cheddar in the world, Sam got his start as an outdoor professional by logging many hours in the woods and on the mountains and waters of Vermont. Since 2010, Sam has led clients on all of the tours Pangaea has to offer, has served as the resident handy man, is a nasty mechanic, obtained his Master License and captained Pangaea’s water taxis, and has operated as a manager and guide trainer. Sam is neither bashful nor unlearned in the flora and fauna of the region so even though he looks like he just crawled out from the depths of the Mayflower Star’s engine room, don’t be shy about asking him a question!

Pete Cueno

Pete Cueno (pronounced Cwain-yo) emerged from the caves of Maquoketa, Iowa where he spent 18 years wrestling corn bears and breaking hearts before earning his B.S. at the “Harvard of the Midwest,” as well as the title of “Third Most Successful Cueno Child.” After reaching his full potential in the heartland, Pete set off to become Pangaea’s most triple rectified guide, whose wilderness experience, in addition to his countless sea kayak, backpack, and raft expeditions, ranges from alpine ascents in Patagonia to backcountry snowboard trips throughout the Western United States. In his many years with Pangaea, the Sweeter Sueño has led every single trip on the menu, as well as operated as general manager, whitewater extraordinaire, and guide-training guru. He is a witty fountain of knowledge and will lay down his all to ensure that you have the best experience possible. This guy is the real deal.

Thomas Mooney-Myers

“Mas” came to us after having developed his love of sea kayaking and whitewater in the Pacific Northwest. As comfortable charging the rapids of Keystone Canyon as he is paddling in the serene beauty of Columbia Bay, Thomas will make you will feel confident and at ease on any trip out with him. He’s a quick-wit and always has a fun, positive buzz about him. Well known for his insatiable appetite for knowledge, Thomas cannot wait to fill your ear with all of the interesting factoids he has bottled up inside. Feel free to snuggle up close, and ask why the baby seal is his spirit animal.

Mike Dooley

Mike Dooley, aka “Dooley”, aka “Baldy”, is a legend around Pangaea. He first joined the team as an arctic intern, then returned as a lead guide for many years, and now often helps out with training. He is a most enthusiastic guide with a true love for what he does. Graduating with a degree in Environmental Education and also becoming an NOLS kayaking instructor, Dooley is sure to teach you a thing or two. If you ever have the good fortune of meeting this genuine pleasure, be sure to ask him about his cheeseburger addiction, or unmistakable support for the Boston Bruins.

Kate Klibansky

Kate Klibansky, otherwise known as “Giggles”, is one of our all-time favorite guides at Pangaea. Be it navigating icebergs or rapids, Kate’s guidance is as fun, professional, and personable as it gets. A major fan of Alaskan grandeur, Maine whitewater and Utah powder, Kate is kind, smart, giggly, and an absolute pleasure to be around.

Ruby Rose

Born and raised in Valdez, meet our team mascot, Ruby! She’s Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog, but her red heeler genes run strong. She loves swimming and playing frisbee most, but will join any adventure you take her on. She enjoys biking, hiking, kayaking, sun bathing and boat rides and is always on the hunt for a stinky salmon carcass. Ruby joined the Duffy family and Pangaea team in 2017 and is always making new friends. Stop by our office to say hello sometime, and look out for her many siblings around town!